For their first playoff appearance in 15 years, the Bengals get to play a familiar foe. Palmer isn't sure whether that's an advantage or not.

"I don't know if it ever helps to play Pittsburgh," he said.

Their fans feel the same way. Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson noticed last week that fans at a local restaurant openly fretted about a rematch with the Steelers, who are still smarting from that last loss. On Monday, Anderson urged fans not to panic, and suggested that Pittsburgh was the perfect first-round opponent for a team still proving itself.

"We still need to exorcise some demons," Anderson said. "I still don't think that we put that perception in a lot of people's heads (to rest) in one year's time. Pittsburgh is a team that we needed to play. This is traditionally, year-in and year-out, the biggest and baddest and toughest team in football. If we're going to get over the hump, I think it needs to be Pittsburgh."

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and mid season he was so convinced they were the better team. atleast willie anderson knows who the biggest, baddest and toughest team in football is. maybe carson is waking up.

No Bengals fan is exactly thrilled about playing the Steelers, but the true fans don't expect a super bowl only a playoff game maybe even 2................In my honost opinion the Steelers should win but it does not change my excitement of making the playoffs.

No Bengals fan is exactly thrilled about playing the Steelers, but the true fans don't expect a super bowl only a playoff game maybe even 2................In my honost opinion the Steelers should win but it does not change my excitement of making the playoffs.

WHO DEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you all have something to be proud of, and this season definitely can be looked at as a huge accomlishment being how far the team has come, regardless of what happens on sunday. and it sure beats being a browns or raven fan. if the bengals were, by some slim chance or fluke, to advance in the playoffs i would probably have to pull for them if they met up with the patriots or broncos

Cincy not being thrilled about seeing us again in the playoffs is alot like if NE would of won and we would have had to go to the razor to play. Im sure Cincy is still confident but would still prefer to be playing the Jags.